There are many reasons and motivations for “why” people give to churches and charities. Consistently, donors identify among the top reasons they give financially as belief in the mission, regard for leadership, and the soundness of the organization’s financial management. Those are important reasons, but they are focused on the recipient of the giving, the churches and charities. 

The most well-known passage in the New Testament, John 3:16, rightfully puts the focus on God as the ultimate model of being a giver: “For God so loved the world that he gave…” 

Humans are made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26), so we should do more than wonder about this identity we have, being made in God’s image as a giver. We should exercise our souls by actually giving, so that we build up our spiritual health by practicing God’s creative purposes as givers. 

I hear your skeptical hearts murmuring, “But the world isn’t that loveable … look at all the bad things going on.” Maybe the world is the way it is because we humans aren’t exercising our spiritual heart muscles enough as givers? 

Consistently, regardless of economic circumstances, the U.S. gives about 2% of GDP to charitable causes, including churches. Currently, the share given to religious organizations, like churches, is less than 30% of total charitable giving. Prior to 1990, the religious share was more than 50% of total giving. Imagine if we Americans tithed 10% of the economy to charitable causes? 

I have often preached on the false dichotomy of this theological puzzle, thinking that love comes first and then giving. Or, considering Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” that getting your heart right precedes placing your treasure somewhere. Both of those claims may feel right and may even work, but deeper spiritual growth is found in the mere mindless and heartful exercise of giving and placing your treasure without overthinking or over-theologizing. 

The saxophone legend Charlie Parker is credited with two pithy quotes that illustrate the fundamental spiritual truth I am trying to communicate: 

• “If you don’t live it, it won’t come out your horn.” 
• “Don’t play the saxophone. Let it play you.” 

Charlie Parker lived a troubled life, but one thing was clear about his life: he and his saxophone and the music were one. There was no false wall of separation between them while he was playing. 

One of the simplest, and yet most profound, spiritual disciplines to practice is giving financially, especially with today’s technology that can automate your spiritual discipline of regular giving. I guarantee that if you are giving less than 5% of your gross annual income to church and charities through regular and automated means, you can double your giving and your lifestyle will not be significantly hampered, but the muscles of your spiritual heart will strengthen over time, and you will find new meaning and purpose in your God-given image as a giver.